Saliva Bacteria May Reduce Peanut Allergy Severity, Study Finds

New research suggests that bacteria naturally present in the mouth, particularly those of the Rothia genus, may play a role in reducing the severity of allergic reactions to peanuts. The findings, published in Cell Host & Microbe, offer a potential new avenue for preventing and treating food allergies, which affect an estimated 1-2% of the global population .

How Rothia Bacteria Impact Peanut Allergies

Researchers from the La Princesa University Hospital in Madrid and McMaster University in Canada discovered that Rothia bacteria found in saliva can break down peanut proteins responsible for triggering allergic reactions. This degradation process reduces the allergenicity of the peanuts, potentially preventing or lessening the severity of anaphylaxis – a life-threatening allergic reaction .

In laboratory tests, when allergens were pre-digested by Rothia, the immune response was diminished compared to exposure to unprocessed peanuts. This suggests that these bacteria modulate the activation of the immune system, lessening its reaction to the allergen .

Animal and Human Studies Support Findings

The research team conducted experiments using mice colonized with Rothia bacteria. These mice exhibited less severe allergic reactions when orally exposed to peanuts. Similarly, mice with allergies showed reduced responses when exposed to peanuts that had been pre-digested by the bacteria .

Further analysis of two patient cohorts at Mass General Hospital in Boston and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York revealed a correlation between Rothia abundance in saliva and peanut allergy tolerance. Individuals with higher levels of Rothia demonstrated a greater threshold before experiencing allergic symptoms .

Implications for Future Treatments

These findings suggest that the composition of an individual’s oral microbiota may influence their susceptibility to food allergies and the severity of their reactions. Researchers believe that modulating the oral microbiota, potentially through the employ of specific probiotics, could offer a novel therapeutic approach to managing food allergies .

“Rather than focusing solely on drugs, increasing the abundance of bacteria like Rothia could offer an innovative therapeutic alternative to reduce risks and improve food tolerance,” the researchers stated .